GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR GENERAL OF CIVIL AVIATION

TECHNICAL CENTRE, OPP. SAFDARJUNG AIRPORT, NEW DELHI

CIVIL AVIATION REQUIREMENTS

SECTION 7 - FLIGHT CREW STANDARDS
TRAINING AND LICENSING
SERIES ‘B’ PART I
ISSUE III, 24TH March 2017 EFFECTIVE: FORTHWITH

F. No. 11-690/Sec. 7 Series ‘B’ Part I/ 2014

SUBJECT: ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR EXAMINATIONS FOR ISSUE/

EXTENSION OF FLIGHT CREW LICENSES / RATINGS

1. INTRODUCTION:
Rule 38 of Aircraft Rules 1937, interalia authorizes the Directorate General
of Civil Aviation to grant, renew or vary the Flight Crew Licenses in various
categories viz. Student Pilot Licence (SPL), Private Pilot Licence (PPL),
Glider Pilot Licence (GPL), Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL), Airline Transport
Pilot Licence (ATPL) etc.

The requirements for issue of the Flight Crew Licenses are prescribed in
Schedule II of Aircraft Rules, 1937. In general, an applicant for issue of a
license should meet the requirements in respect of Age, Basic Educational
Qualification, Medical Fitness, Passing in requisite Examinations and
Flying Experience appropriate to the category applied for. An Applicant
who meets the requirements is issued a Flight Crew License in
appropriate category by the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)
through its Directorate of Training & Licensing (DTL).

This CAR is issued under the provision of Rule 133A of the Aircraft Rules, 1937.

This CAR identifies the authorities conducting various categories of Flight Crew
License Examinations and requirements to be fulfilled by the applicant for
appearing in the relevant examinations.

2. Definitions:
a. CEO: Central Examination Organization of Directorate General of Civil
Aviation conducts examinations for issue/extension of various licenses to
aircraft personnel.

b. Aircraft Personnel: Persons who are licensed / approved / authorized in

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accordance with the applicable Rule to perform the duties of Aircraft

Maintenance, Flying of Aircraft, Dispatching of Aircraft, etc. in accordance with
the Applicable Aircraft Rules 1937.
c. Online Examination: A mode of conducting examination utilizing the computer
based applications.
d. OMR Based Examination: A mode of conducting examination utilizing the
Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) paper based applications.

3. AUTHORITIES FOR CONDUCTING EXAMINATIONS FOR VARIOUS

CATEGORIES OF FLIGHT CREW LICENSES:

Examinations for various categories of Flight Crew Licenses are conducted by

different agencies as given below:

3.1 Student Pilot License (SPL) and Flight Radio Telephone Operator License
Restricted (FRTOL-R):

The Flying Training Organisation approved by DGCA are authorized to conduct

the examination for issue of SPL and FRTOL-R. List of such authorized Flying
Training Organisation is available on DGCA website http://dgca.gov.in. An
applicant may contact any of the approved Flying Training Organisation for
appearing in examinations of these licenses

3.2 Radio Telephony Restricted to Aeromobile (RTR-A) Examination:

Radio Telephone Restricted to Aeromobile (RTR-A) Examination is conducted

by Wireless Planning Wing (WPC), Ministry of Communications, New Delhi.
Further information in this regard may be
directly obtained from Ministry of Communications or their website
http://www.wpc.gov.in for Application Forms and Schedule of Examinations etc.

3.3. Categories of Flight Crew Licenses other than SPL, FRTO-L (R) and RTR:
The examinations in respect of all categories of Flight Crew Licenses / Ratings
such as Private Pilot, Commercial Pilot, Airline Transport Pilot, Flight Engineers
(FE) / Flight Navigators (FN) are conducted as provisioned under the Rule 38 and
Schedule II of Aircraft Rules 1937.

4. SCHEDULE OF EXAMINATION CENTRES AND FEES FOR FLIGHT CREW

EXAMINATIONS CONDUCTED BY CEO

4.1 Schedule of Examinations:

The information regarding the submission of application ONLINE for allotment of

Computer Number, duration of opening of portal for submission of application for
Roll Number for both General Papers & Technical Papers (either Online-Computer
or OMR Based or both) of all categories of Pilots (PPL / CPL / ATPL / FE / FN) and
tentative date of commencement of examination for each Session are published
in DGCA web site & https://pariksha.dgca.gov.in site. In addition, the annual
examination schedule is also published in DGCA Web Site in the beginning of every
year.
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4.2 Examination Centres:

Flight Crew Examinations are normally conducted at the following Centers:

a) General & Technical papers of all categories (PPL / CPL / ATPL) and
Conversion of Foreign License (CPL / ATPL) of Pilot license examinations,
Flight Engineers License / Flight Dispatchers Examinations, Oral
Examination of AFIR / FIR, are conducted at the centers as
mentioned in the respective application (submitted online in
pariksha.dgca.gov.in).

b) Oral examination of Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL):

Oral examinations are conduct at Chennai, Mumbai and New Delhi enters
or any other place as may be decided by Director General from time to
time.

C) SPL Oral Examinations are conducted at approved Flying Training

Organizations or any other place as may be authorized by DGCA.

4.3 EXAMINATION FEES:

The requirement of Examination Fee as applicable per paper is stipulated in

the Rule 48 of the Aircraft Rules 1937 and the mode of payment as described
in the “User Manual for Candidates Applying for Pilots License Examination”
published in pariksha.dgca.gov.in. Payment of fee through integrated Bharat
Kosh site is available for which the application is submitted through online system
of examination.

5. Details of Examinations for each category of license:

5.1. An applicant is required to pass the following Theoretical knowledge and/ or oral
Examinations for issue of a license in a particular category:

(a) SPL: Oral examination in the subjects of Air Navigation, Aviation

Meteorology, Air Regulation, aircraft and engine/instruments in general and
specific.

(b) FRTOL-R: Theoretical knowledge / oral examinations on the subjects

of Radio Theory, Communication Procedures and Air Regulation.

(c) GPL: Oral examination in the subjects of Air Navigation, Aviation

Meteorology, Air Regulation, aircraft and instruments in general and
Specific.

(d) PPL: Theoretical knowledge examination in the subjects of Composite

Paper, aircraft & engine / instruments in general and specific. The
Composite paper shall contain the subjects of Air Navigation, Aviation
Meteorology and Air Regulations.
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(e) CPL: Theoretical knowledge examination in the subjects of Air Navigation,

Aviation Meteorology, Air Regulation, aircraft & engine / instruments in
general, specific and performance (if applicable). Performance paper is
applicable to heavy aeroplane having MTOW more than 5700 kg or Twin
Engine Helicopter.

(f) Conversion of CPL issued by Foreign Authorities (ICAO Contracting State):

Theoretical knowledge examination in the subjects of Composite paper and
Air Regulation. The Composite paper shall cover the subjects of Air
Navigation and Aviation Meteorology.

(g) ATPL: Theoretical knowledge Examination in the subjects of Air

Navigation, Aviation Meteorology, Air Regulation, Radio Aids and
Instruments, Aircraft & Engine/instruments in general, specific,
performance and Oral ( as applicable). Performance paper is applicable
to aircraft having MTOW more than 5700 kg or Twin Engine Helicopter.

Note: ATPL License is not issued on single engine aircraft

(h) Conversion of ATPL issued by Foreign Authorities (ICAO
Contracting State):

Theoretical knowledge examination in the subjects of Composite paper

and Air Regulation and Oral examination (as applicable). The Composite
paper shall cover the subjects of Air Navigation, Radio Aids & Instrument
and Aviation Meteorology.

(i) Flight Instructor Rating (FIR) / Assistant Flight Instructor Rating (AFIR):
Oral Examination in the subjects of Mechanics of Flight, Principles of Flying
Instructions and Instrument Flying.

5.2 Extension in the Aircraft Rating of a License: An applicant is required to pass the
Theoretical knowledge examination in the subject of Technical –
Specific & Technical - Performance (as applicable) for extension in the Aircraft
Rating of a License.

5.3 Syllabus: The syllabus for the subjects specified in Para 5.1 above, is given
in CAR Section 7, Series ‘B’, in various parts. The applicable part of the CAR can
be seen and downloaded from DGCA website.

5.4 Type of Papers: All the Theoretical knowledge examinations (conducted either
online computer based or OMR based or both) in respect of all the categories
of Pilots License Examination except Performance Paper will be multiple choice
(Objective) type. The Performance Paper will be subjective type.

5.5 Flight Engineers: All Papers of Flight Engineers will be of multiple choice
(objective) types except for the Technical Performance Paper, which will be
of subjective type. All papers of flight dispatcher (including the Performance
Paper) will be of multiple choice (objective) types.

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5.6 Pass Marks for Theoretical knowledge Examination: A candidate who

secures a minimum of 70% marks in the Theoretical knowledge Examination of a
particular subject will be declared PASS.

5.7 Oral Examinations:

(a) SPL (All types of aircraft): The oral examination will be conducted every
month by Chief Flying Instructor / Pilot Instructor In-charge of the approved
Flying Training Institute in association with an officer of Regional / Sub-
Regional Airworthiness off of DGCA. The minimum pass marks required in
the Oral Examination is 50%. The result of the Oral Examination will be
declared by the Regional / Sub-Regional Airworthiness Office.
(b) FRTOL-R: Theoretical knowledge / Oral examination will be conducted
by the approved Flying Training Organization.
(c) GPL: The oral examination will be conducted by the Glider Pilot
Instructor-in-charge, Government Gliding Center, Pune. The minimum pass
marks required in the Oral Examination is 50%.
(d) ATPL: The candidates, who have secured a minimum of 70% marks in the
Theoretical knowledge Examination of Air Navigation and Radio Aids &
Instruments subject, will be eligible for Oral Examination of that subject.
Similarly, the candidates who have secured a minimum 70% marks in the
Theoretical knowledge examination of Composite Paper for conversion of
their Foreign ATPL will be eligible for the oral examination.
The oral examination will be conducted by a board constituted by the Director
General of Civil aviation, from time to time.
A candidate shall be declared PASS, if he / she secures a minimum of 70%
marks in the Oral Examination. In case, a candidate fails in the first oral
examination, he can avail two additional chances to appear in the oral
examination within a time period of two years from the date of result of the
respective subject of the Theoretical knowledge examination. In case, a
candidate fails in all the three attempts of Oral Examination, he / she shall be
required to re-appear in the Theoretical knowledge examination of the
particular subject irrespective of the two year validity period.
(e) Flight Instructor Rating (FIR)/ Assistant Flight Instructor Rating (AFIR):
The oral examination will be conducted by a Board duly constituted by
DGCA. The minimum pass marks required in the Oral Examination is 70%.
The requirement for approval of FIR/AFIR is given under CAR, Section-7,
Series I.

5.8 Flight Dispatchers: CEO also conducts the Theoretical knowledge examination
for Flight Dispatchers on the subjects of Air Navigation, Aviation Meteorology,
Air Regulation, Flight Planning, Technical (General) and Specific aircraft
Performance. For details of requirements, refer to CAR, Section -7, Series ‘M’,
Part-II and the scope of approval of the concerned Airlines.

6. Procedure for conduction of Theoretical knowledge / Oral Examinations by CEO:

6.1 Allotment of Computer Number:

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An applicant is required to obtain a Computer Number for appearing in any of the

examinations conducted by CEO. However, Computer Number is not required for
appearing in the examinations of SPL, GPL, FRTOL-R.

The Computer Number is a permanent number allotted to a particular

candidate for appearing in any of the Flight Crew Examinations conducted by CEO.

(i) An Online application has to be submitted for allotment of Computer Number

through the pariksha.dgca.gov.in site. The applicant is required to read the “User
Manual” published to this effect in pariksha.dgca.gov.in site before filing an
ONLINE application and subsequent submission of hard copy of the ONLINE
submitted application along with necessary supporting documents.

Incomplete/ incorrect application form and which are not in accordance with the
published User Manual shall be liable for rejection.
Eligibility criteria for Computer Number generation:

Eligibility criteria for Computer Number generation:

1. Age: Age should not be less than 16 (sixteen) years

2. For Educational Qualification, its verifications and other requirements &
procedures refer to:

a. Section – A (General) of Schedule – II of Aircraft Rules 1937.

b. User Manual published in pariksha.dgca.gov.in site

3. In the case of foreign nationals and / or OCI / PIO holders, their clearances from
security point of view have to be obtained from competent authority of Government
of India.

The original certificates will be verified at the time of issue of License by DGCA.

6.2 Submission of Application for Examination by CEO:

Application Form for Theoretical knowledge examination of both General Papers,

Technical Papers and oral examination should be submitted ONLINE through
pariksha.dgca.gov.in site. Applicants are advised to refer to the “Guideline to the
Candidates Applying for Pilot License Examination” published to this effect in
DGCA web site before filing an ONLINE application

6.3 List of Admitted / Rejected Candidates

The list of admitted and rejected candidates along with reason for rejection for a
particular session of Theoretical knowledge examination and Oral Examination will
be displayed on DGCA website / pariksha.dgca.gov.in site about 10 Days prior to
the date of examination.

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6.4 Conducting Theoretical knowledge Examination:

Eligible candidates will appear for examination (either Online-Computer or

OMR Based or both). Guidelines & Instruction to the candidates with regard
to examination are published in DGCA Web Site along with list of Admitted
Candidates, prior to every session of examination. In case of OMR based
examination, an applicant is required to mark the answers on Optical Marker
Reader (OMR) Sheet. These sheets are supplied to the candidates at the
Examination Hall.

6.5 Identification of Candidates:

A candidate is required to display his / her admit Card at the time of entry
into the Examination Hall and during the entire period of his examination.
The procedure for printing of admit cards are described in the Guideline to
the Candidates Applying for Pilot License Examination / User Manual
published in DGCA web site

The candidates are not permitted to carry the Question Papers or copy its
contents in any form. Question Paper along with the OMR / Answer Sheet
should be handed over to the invigilator/ supervisor of the examination
centre. Strict action will be taken against the candidates who fail to do so.

6.6 Result:

The score obtained by the candidates will appear on the computer display
after completion of the particular paper, in case of ONLINE-Computer Based
examination. In case of OMR based examination, the OMR Sheets are
scanned and processed by the Computerized System, using OMR Scanner.
The results of both General Papers and Technical Papers including that of
Flight Engineers, Flight Dispatchers and AFIR / FIR are also published in
DGCA web site within 30 days after the examination.

6.7 Validity of Theoretical knowledge Papers

The Technical and other examinations for the issue of a licence, rating or type
rating under Schedule II of Aircraft Rules, 1937 shall be completed within a period
of two and a half years immediately preceding the date of application for the issue
of the licence or rating, except for issue of Commercial Pilot’s Licence (CPL) and
Airline Transport Pilot’s Licence (ATPL), and for issue of CPL and ATPL, such
period shall be five years.

However, in case of the requirements for issue of license expires due to delay in
the conduct of Theoretical knowledge examination or in declaration of the result by
DGCA, the applicant may submit the documents for issue of license in DGCA,
pending results of the Theoretical knowledge examination, in which he/she has
appeared. While submitting the documents, the applicant should clearly mention
the name of the paper in which he/she will be appearing in the rescheduled
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examination or have appeared in the examination and the result is awaited. In such
cases, the date of application for such requests shall be considered provided the
candidate passes the Theoretical knowledge examination in that session of
Theoretical knowledge examination.

Applicant shall submit the results to the Directorate of Training & Licensing, Office
of DGCA within seven days of the declaration of results failing which the
documents for issue of license shall be returned without processing.

7. Requirements for appearing in various Flight Crew License

Examinations:

7.1 SPL/ FRTOL-R/ GPL:

The applicant should have passed a minimum 10th standard or its equivalent
examination from a recognized board.

7.2 Private Pilot Licence (PPL):

The applicant should have
1. A Computer Number allotted by CEO, DGCA
2. Passed Class Ten or equivalent examination from a recognized board.

7.3 Commercial Pilot License (CPL):

The applicant should have
1. A Computer Number allotted by CEO, DGCA
2. Passed Class 10+2 standard examination with Physics & Mathematics as
subjects from a recognized Board/ University or its equivalent examination.

7.4 ATPL (Airline Transport Pilot License):

1. A computer Number issued by CEO, DGCA
2. The applicant should have Indian Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL).
3. In the case of Defense Personnel in lieu of CPL, evidence for having
completed 500Hrs flying experience of which 200 Hrs. should be as Pilot-
in-Command.

7.5 Conversion of Pilots License issued by Foreign Authorities:

The applicant should have:

(a) Computer Number issued by CEO, DGCA.
(b) Pilot License issued by ICAO Contracting State for the respective category for
which application is made.

7.6 Extension in the Category of a Pilot’s License:

The applicant should have:

(a) Current license in the relevant category

(b) The aeroplane having all up weight more than 5,700 kgs or twin engine helicopter
are required to undergo Ground Training Classes on Technical/Performance
on the aircraft from DGCA approved Training Institute.
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7.7 Flight Dispatcher / Flight Engineers:

The applicant should have:

(a) Passed 10+2 standard examination with Physics and Mathematics subjects
from a recognized Board (recognized by the Council of Boards of Secondary
Education) / University or its equivalent examination.
(b) Successfully completed the initial training for Flight Dispatcher’s / Flight
Engineer’s from DGCA approved Institute in accordance with CAR Section-7,
Series-M, Part-II / CAR Section-2, Series-L, Part- XV.

8. GENERAL INFORMATION:

8.1 DGCA website: All vital information with regard to DGCA including
examinations are available on DGCA website & pariksha.dgca.gov.in site and
an applicant can view information such as (i) Schedule of Examinations, (ii)
Guidelines for submission of applications for allotment of Computer Number
& Roll Number, (iii) Opening of portal for submission of ONLINE application
for Theoretical knowledge / Oral Examinations, etc.

8.2 Application: Application for allotment of Computer Number and General

Papers, technical papers and Oral Examination for Pilots can only be
submitted ONLINE through pariksha.dgca.gov.in site. Applicants are
advised to follow the “User Manual” published in pariksha.dgca.gov.in site,
with respect to submission of application.

8.3 Change of Examination Centre/ Type of Aircraft/ Category of Examination: Any

request for change in Examination centre/type of aircraft/category of examination/
Papers/ date of any examination will NOT be entertained from the candidate.

8.4 Change of Address: Change in mailing address should be intimated to CEO

immediately

8.5 Electronic Gadgets:

(a) Candidates are not allowed to bring any electronic gadget such as Calculators,
Cell phones, Electronic diaries or any other electronic device with memory or
Listening devices and recording or photographic devices, Electronic / Smart Wrist
Watches, wrist watch phones, pagers, pen scanners or multimedia devices or any
other communication devices even in switched OFF mode inside the examination
room / hall. DGCA will not make any provision to keep them in safe custody and
Candidates themselves are responsible for safety of their belongings.
(b) The candidates may be allowed to use (i) Navigation Computers and Scientific
Calculators without multiple-memory for Air Navigation (CPL/ATPL), & Composite
(like PPLG, CPLCG, ATPCG) Papers and (ii) Only Scientific Calculators without
multiple-memory for Radio Aids & Instrument (ATPL) papers. For appearing in
meteorology papers, even the simple arithmetic calculators are not allowed.
Exchange of these devices and any other materials amongst the candidates
shall not be permitted.
Lending/ borrowing of NAV Computer or Scientific Calculator or any other material
is NOT permitted.

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8.6 Performance Paper: The candidates appearing for Performance Paper will be
required to bring only the performance section / portion of the Appropriate Flight
Manual and other irrelevant section / portions of the flight manual should not be
brought to examination hall / room.

8.7 In the case of OMR Paper Based Examination, Candidates must fill / darken the
appropriate ovals corresponding to their Roll Numbers and Question Paper
Reference Number in the OMR Sheet. They should recheck the correctness of
the ovals corresponding to their Roll Numbers and Question Paper Reference
Number, failing which, the OMR Sheet will not be scanned by the Computer
and results of such candidates will be declared NOT EVALUATED. Request for
re-checking of OMR Sheets will not be entertained.

8.8 General Instructions during Examination:

Candidates shall follow the instructions issued, under the provisions of Sub-Rule
(1) of Rule 41A of Aircraft Rules 1937 and published from time to time, in DGCA
web site before each session of examination. The decision of the Director General
of Civil Aviation to withhold any result or disqualify or debar any candidate due to
any unfair means as listed in the instruction to the candidate published in DGCA web
site shall be final.

(B S Bhullar)
Director General of Civil Aviation.

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